Present: Cllr. L Hamilton – in the Chair.
Cllrs. N Francis, L Jackson, P Moody and R Webb.
District Cllr. A Brown, Pc S Busby, and Ms. A Maudlin were also present.
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. Mrs C Sawyers and
District Cllr. L Birt.
19/08 GOOD NEIGHBOURS LEAFLET
The Vice Chairman welcomed Anna Maudlin and indicated that, as Anna had
another meeting to attend and no other members of the public were
present for ‘Public Participation’, the Good Neighbours leaflet would
be discussed at the start of the meeting.
The Council noted that arrangements were in hand to purchase copies of
two postcards, featuring local views, with a greeting to welcome new
residents to Campton & Chicksands. Amendments to the leaflet were
then discussed and it was agreed that semi-commercial uses of the
Village Hall could be listed as ‘Regular Activities’. Members indicated
a willingness to approve the draft leaflet as soon as the necessary
changes had been made.
Anna confirmed that it was intended to distribute the leaflet to every
household in the parish. It was noted that distribution arrangements
were in hand and that, including a stock for distribution to newcomers,
a minimum order of 500 double-sided colour copies would be required.
The Council considered the printing costs and, although it was noted
that the lowest quotation of £152 was from Paul Crowley, it was
agreed to compare the specification (number of copies, paper quality,
creased and folded) with that of Copy Write Printers.
(Note – The Vice Chairman declared an interest in the above item on the
basis that a family member was serving on the Committee.)
20/08 POLICE ISSUES
The Clerk submitted the crime statistics for Shefford Rural from 1
January to 31 May, and Pc S Busby commented on the recorded crime in
the parish during May. It was also noted that a suspicious incident at
the Recreation Ground had been investigated, and that there had been
several reports of tyres being damaged by nails / screws in Chicksands
and Shefford.
Pc Busby requested details of any future events which would require a
Police presence.
In relation to the grant from the Confident Communities Fund, the
Council noted that the Clerk would be meeting the Landscape Manager of
Bedfordshire Highways to discuss the work at the Recreation Ground but
that the County Council had withdrawn the option of funding Police
Community Support Officers. Information about alternative options was
to be presented to Parish Council representatives at meetings on 17
June (Flitwick) and 18 June (Bedford). As Members were not available
for early evening meetings on these dates, the Clerk agreed to attend
the meeting at the Rufus Centre, Flitwick. Members referred to the
possible provision of a CCTV camera at a suitable location.
21/08 MINUTES
RESOLVED:
That the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 7 May
2008, be signed as a correct record.
22/08 CASUAL VACANCY
Further to Minute 1/08, the Clerk reported that, following publication
of the Notice of Casual Vacancy, the District Council had received a
valid request for an election to fill the vacancy. As a result, he was
about to publish a Notice of Election which indicated that completed
nomination papers had to be delivered to the Returning Officer at the
District Council by noon on 20 June and that, if contested, an Election
would take place on 17 July.
Concern was expressed about the cost implications. It was noted that it
would be possible to co-opt if only one candidate was nominated, and
that the cost of an Election could be reduced if the Council didn’t
request the issue of poll cards.
23/08 VISIT TO SANDY SMITH NATURE RESERVE
The Clerk referred to Minute 7/08 and reported that, as it had not been
possible to visit Sandy Smith Nature Reserve on 4 June, provisional
arrangements had been made with the Greensand Trust for the visit to
take place on Wednesday 25 June.
Members indicated a preference for a 7pm start.
24/08 REPORTS BY COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
District Cllr. A Brown provided information about the ‘shadow’ Unitary
Authority, recycling, and the need to provide an incinerator for the
residual waste in Mid Beds (and possibly the whole County). He also
advised that planning permission was not required for a porch at Kiln
Farm (Priory Road), and that a plan showing the proposed speed limit
and pedestrian crossing on the A507 was likely to be available in
September. In relation to recycling, a Member suggested that additional
collection facilities could be provided within the site adjacent to the
District Council offices.
Further to Minute 11/08, Cllr. Brown agreed to seek information about
the condition of the footway, alongside the A507, in front of Priory
House and the damaged MOD fence.
(Note – Cllr. Brown withdrew from the meeting after presenting his
report.)
25/08 PLANNING
The Clerk submitted printed copies of the adopted Mid Beds LDF Planning
Obligations Strategy. It was noted that, since the last meeting, a
further planning application (08/850F) for the change of use of East
Lodge School to residential had been circulated for Members’ comments.
As a result, the District Council would be advised that the Parish
Council strongly supports the proposal.
26/08 PARISH PLAN
No further information was available.
27/08 HIGHWAYS
For information, the Clerk submitted Bedfordshire Highways Major
Roadworks Bulletin, a Bedfordshire Highways Customer Service Bulletin,
and further information about the County Council’s policy on Quiet
Lanes. Having regard to the problems caused by heavy goods vehicles,
Members expressed interest in the designation of Quiet Lanes but noted
that local rural roads were unlikely to satisfy the criteria.
Concerns were expressed that Bedfordshire Highways had not resurfaced
Brookside, but it was appreciated that the recent patching was a
considerable improvement.
In relation to the Enhanced Parish Partnership scheme, the Council
noted that the cost of completing the works in Greenway would exceed
the allocated funding. It was agreed to continue the works with the
available funds and make representations to the County Council about
progressing the provision of a footway in Rectory Road as a ‘Safer
Route to School’.
28/08 RECREATION GROUND
Cllr. N Francis submitted reports of recent play area inspections and
drew attention to the need to repair the safety surfacing and contact
Campton FC about grounds maintenance issues and the dumping of rubbish.
It was noted that Cllrs. Francis and Jackson had kindly undertaken
additional strimming / spraying.
The Clerk indicated that he could provide the contact details for a
local Company able to repair safety surfaces or supply the necessary
materials. In relation to the dumping of rubbish, the Clerk drew
attention to concerns expressed by a neighbour.
It was agreed that the issues should be raised with Campton FC at the
earliest opportunity.
Cllr. Francis reported on his attendance at a Play Area Management
seminar and drew attention to various health & safety issues. It
was noted that the new signs would satisfy some of the requirements and
the Clerk was asked to obtain a progress report prior to the next
meeting – when the issues would be reconsidered.
29/08 EXISTING AND FUTURE PROJECTS
The Council was pleased to note that a resident had contacted the Clerk
to thank the Parish Council for securing the provision of a larger post
box in Gravenhurst Road.
Further to Minute 15/08, the Clerk submitted emails from Metrosigns
2000 (Bedford) Ltd. as to the condition of the ‘Festival of Britain’
sign and the options for repair / restoration. As the minimum cost of
£897 (exc. VAT) was regarded as too expensive, Cllr. L Jackson
offered to undertake the work (with the help of Bedfordshire Highways)
and was asked to prepare a specification and quotation for
consideration.
The Clerk reminded the Council of the intention to discuss village
entry features at a future meeting and indicated that he would chase
Bedfordshire Highways about the arrangements to install seats / benches
in agreed locations.
30/08 CORRESPONDENCE
For information, the Clerk submitted correspondence received since the
last meeting and drew attention to the meeting of the Campton &
Shefford Joint Burial Board on Friday 13 June; information about the
availability of a shared ownership property in Gravenhurst; and
details of an Affordable Village Housing Seminar at Pirton
Village Hall on Friday 25 July.
Members expressed interest in attending the Seminar and indicated that
they would let the Clerk know about their availability by 25 June.
31/08 FINANCE
The Clerk reported that there was a balance of £19,483.29 in the
Community Account on 30 May and indicated that, as the statement had
been sent to Mrs M Olley, he would contact the Bank about
implementation of the revised arrangements.
He then submitted invoices and a request for grant aid received since
the last meeting.
RESOLVED:
1. That the following payments be approved:
Dawsons (Shefford) Ltd – repairs to
bench
£213.85
E.ON UK Plc – street lighting energy
charges
£134.10
D J Granger Landscapes Ltd – grass
cutting
£106.50
2. That no action be taken in respect of the request for grant aid from
Victim Support.
Further to Minute 17/08, it was noted that, because of his holiday, the
Clerk had not had an opportunity to discuss the audit situation with
Lubbock Fine.
32/08 REPORTS BY MEMBERS
The Council was pleased to note that Cllr. L Jackson was making
arrangements to attend a Councillor Training Course in July.
Cllr. P Moody reported on the condition of the Cemetery, and it was
noted that the uninsured vehicle in Rectory Road had now been moved.
Chairman.
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